United Kingdom gave Hong Kong back to China (1997)

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Written by: 360.org

Sunday, 1 July 2018

1997 -

On the first of July in 1997, the crown colony of Hong Kong officially became Chinese property again. This made an ending of the 156 years of British rule over Hong Kong.

Under British control
The United Kingdom took over Hong Kong in 1842 after they defeated China in the First Opium War. The city became one of the world’s biggest financial and business centers under British control. Hong Kong also developed a different political and economic system in comparison with China. After the United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to China, they agreed that Hong Kong would become a Special Administrative Region, this means that Hong Kong has its own legal system and multiple political parties.

The current situation
A committee that consists out of 1200 members choose the Chief Executive, who is the leader of Hong Kong. There are many pro-democracy activists who have been campaigning for years to give people in Hong Kong the right to elect their own leader. During several protests big parts of the city were shut down for weeks. Citizens of Hong Kong fear for 2047, since the agreement with the United Kingdom expires that year. There is a good chance that Hong Kong will become a normal Chinese province with no autonomy in 2047.

360 trivial fact
An incredible skyline! Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the world. The city has 303 incredible skyscrapers, while New York has 237 of these tall buildings.feedback@360.org